Domestic violence responsible for nearly one-third of 2013 murders

By Manuella Libardi

Published 9:52 am, Monday, March 3, 2014

Brenda was behind the wheel of her car in December when a fight broke out between her and her husband. When words turned into physical violence, Brenda barely had enough time to stop the moving vehicle, but not enough time to stop the abuse.

Three witnesses called the police and Brenda was taken to the hospital.

Two months later, on the night of Feb. 7, Taralynn Brown felt a similar fear when a fight led Kelvin Lee Roy to threaten to commit murder-suicide by crashing his car.

Domestic violence is a crime that can take on different masks and doesn't discriminate, said Janet Walker, executive director of the Family Services of Southeast Texas.

"It affects everyone. It doesn't matter what your income, or your race or your background is because there are victims from all across society."

Roy crashed against a Honda minivan stopped at a red light in Vidor. Alexandria Bertrand, 16, died the following day in the hospital from injuries she sustained in the wreck. Her mother, April Bertrand, survived.

Brown said the two had ended their relationship a few months before, but that he still showed up to her home in Beaumont despite the protective order she had against him. He was "high on dip" that night, smoking cigarettes dipped in a chemical, Brown told police.

Domestic abuse often starts out subtly. For seven years, Brenda was subjected to emotional and verbal abuse. She left her husband a few times, but blinding love, her children, lack of self-esteem and empty promises kept here going back.

"There were more good times than bad times," said Brenda, whose real name was not used for this story.

About every three months he went into a jealousy frenzy and reacted with violence, which became worse each time.

"I love him, but I don't love the person he has become," she said. "I love the person I fell in love with."

Brenda is one of at least 4,000 people in Jefferson County who suffer abuse at home each year.

She and her two children sought help through the Families Services of Southeast Texas and are now safe.

The recent Vidor crash is one of at least five deadly cases linked to domestic violence in the first six weeks of 2014, though Bertrand wasn't the intended target.

Roy, who has history of family abuse, was charged with murder, and his bond was set at $1 million.

In 2013, there were 17 homicides in Beaumont. Police linked six to family violence. In 2014, three have been linked to domestic violence, including a murder-suicide, said Sgt. Yvette Borrero, Beaumont Police Family Violence Unit.

Another murder-suicide happened in Port Arthur this year, she said.

"Nationwide, the issue of domestic violence is rampant. In our city alone it's horrendous."

So far this year, the family violence unit has responded to about 300 cases of domestic violence, Borrero said. Many more probably go unreported, she said.

In 2012, more than 4,700 cases of domestic abuse were reported in Jefferson County.